By REYNALD MAGALLON
Magnolia opened the new season on a high note, scoring a 110-102 win over the shorthanded TNT in the 2023 Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Nov. 5.
The Hotshots proved its pre-season performance was no fluke, pulling away in the second half that saw them build a 19-point lead before fending off repeated comeback attempts from the Tropang Giga to pick up the first win of the conference.
Tyler Bey introduced himself to the PBA with a huge double-double effort of 31 points and 20 rebounds – highlighted by a huge putback dunk with 25 seconds left to slam the door on TNT.
Mark Barroca and Paul Lee provided support with 19 and 17 points respectively.
It was also actually the two who started it all for Magnolia, taking turns in the first two quarters where the Hotshots led by double-digits.
TNT, behind the scorching shooting from Quincy Miller and Calvin Oftana, cut the deficit down to three late in the third frame before Bey took charge and dropped 15 of his total in the final frame to rally Magnolia to a 100-81 lead.
“We need to be consistent especially in the first half, we’re leading the game but may time na nag rerelax kami so that’s the time na merong mga mental lapses especially doon sa stretch in the first and second quarter so we need that effort para lang at least makabalik kami sa game,” said head coach Chito Victolero.
Miller announced his return to the PBA with 37 points and 14 rebounds while playing in lieu of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson who was still recovering from gastroenteritis.
Oftana, on the other hand, fully embraced his bigger role for TNT with 28 points built on seven triples.
The Tropang Giga were still playing depleted, missing the services of RR Pogoy due to his heart condition, Justin Chua and JP Erram to injuries while Mikey Williams was still left unsigned.
